RSPCA urges mulesing alternative

The RSPCA says Australian farmers should stop mulesing and its practice should not be determined by market forces.

The sheep industry's peak research company, Australian Wool Innovation, has gone back on a deal with an animal rights group to phase out mulesing by 2010.

Mulesing is where loose skin on the breech of lambs is cut off to avoid fly-strike.

The RSPCA's scientific officer Melina Tensen says an alternative to mulesing must be found.

"Obviously the market will decide whether mulesing is entirely phased out, if retailers want wool from unmulesed animals then it'll be up to farmers to consider that demand, so it's a matter of supply and demand," she said.